exercise mat

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an exercise mat having improved functionality with respect to carrying items or materials. In particular, the disclosed exercise mat has a generally rectangular main body, the main body being bounded by a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side. The exercise mat has a first handle assembly attached to the main body along the first side of the main body; and a second handle assembly attached to the main body along the second side of the main body. The exercise mat provides a generally planar configuration when used during exercise and a substantially collapsed configuration when the ends are folded over the center region and the mat is lifted by the handles such that material deposited in the center region of the mat is substantially retained therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise mats, and more specifically to an exercise mat with improved ability to retain items or materials located approximately on the center region of the mat.

In recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the benefits associated with physical exercise. Various types of exercise require the use of a personal mat. Yoga, for example, is a popular form of exercise often accomplished in a class environment. Most every yoga class participant brings their own exercise mat. One popular form of yoga is practiced in a heated environment, where the temperature is usually maintained between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Regardless of the particular type of exercise practiced, the use of exercise mats has become widespread. As such, there is an increased need for improved exercise mats, including exercise mats with improved functionality, carrying capacity, and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exercise mat with improved functionality with respect to carrying items or materials. Such improved functionality is beneficial in the management of towels, clothing items, or the like, that have been in contact with perspiration produced during physical exercise. In some cases, such as during strenuous exercise or during a heated yoga session, the amount of perspiration produced may be quite significant. Heated yoga sessions can last for over an hour and a half. Such a prolonged exposure to the combination of elevated temperature and physical activity tends to produce a tremendous amount of perspiration on the part of a heated yoga participant, some of which tends to collect on the participant's exercise mat. Unfortunately, at the end of a heated yoga session, when the participant rolls up their exercise mat, the accumulated perspiration tends to leak from the rolled up exercise mat and often ends up on the yoga studio's floor, or worse yet, on a neighboring participant. Even in the absence of a towel, clothing item, or the like, the present invention exercise mat provides an increased ability to retain the accumulated fluid when the mat is carried.

Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides an exercise mat with a generally rectangular main body and handles coupled with opposing sides of the main body. The mat design and handle configurations can be selected such that the mat provides a generally flat configuration when used during exercise, and a substantially collapsed configuration when opposing ends of the mat are folded over the center region of the mat and the mat is lifted by the handles.

In another aspect, a method of using an exercise mat is described. Such a method can include, for example, providing an exercise mat with a generally rectangular body and handles coupled with opposing sides of the main body; placing the exercise mat into a generally flat configuration; folding one or more ends toward the center region of the mat; and lifting the mat, e.g., by the handles, such that the mat assumes a substantially collapsed configuration that permits containment of materials deposited/positioned in about the mat center region.

In another aspect, a method of manufacturing an exercise mat is described. Such a method can include fabricating a generally rectangular main body; coupling one or more handles about the main body such that the mat can have a substantially collapsed configuration and retains materials/items deposited in about a center region of the mat.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detail description and accompanying drawings. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an improved exercise mat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 shows a towel placed on top of the center region of the embodiment of the exercise mat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the exercise mat and towel of FIG. 2, where a portion of the exercise mat has been folded toward a center region.

FIG. 4 shows the exercise mat and towel of FIG. 3, where opposing portions have both been folded toward the center region and over a towel deposited therein.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an exercise mat in a substantially collapsed configuration and carried by the user.

FIG. 6 shows an end view of an exercise mat in a substantially collapsed configuration and carried by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exercise mat with improved functionality with respect to containing or carrying items or materials. Such improved functionality is beneficial in the management of materials such as exercise equipment (e.g., towels, clothing items, etc.), as well as fluid such as deposited perspiration produced during physical exercise. Even in the absence of a towel, clothing item, or the like, the present invention exercise mat provides an increased ability to retain accumulated fluid when the mat is carried.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a plan view of an improved exercise mat 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, exercise mat 10 includes a generally rectangular main body and attached handle assemblies. The main body includes a first end and an opposing second end, as well as by a first side and an opposing second side. Attached handle assemblies are attached along the first side and second side. In the embodiment shown, attach handle assemblies include strap portions, which are attached to main body via main body connections, which are located approximately at one-third, one-half, and two-thirds of the distance between the ends. Additionally, strap portions are interconnected at inter-connections. As will be apparent to a person of skill in the art, the above described embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 provides for a configuration of an exercise mat that can be placed into the substantially collapsed configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The configuration of the attach handle assemblies, when coupled with the main body as depicted in FIG. 1, provides a set of constraints upon the exercise mat that induce the substantially collapsed configuration shown when the mat is lifted by the attach handle assemblies. As will be understood by a person of skill in the art, various other handle configurations may be used and coupled with the main body of the mat in a variety of ways without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

The following discussion regarding the use of the presently disclosed exercise mat starts at the end of an exercise session. The mat will include a generally planar configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, for example where the mat is positioned on a floor or other surface for use during exercise. Following use, the mat can be collapsed such that materials deposited in a center region of the mat are retained substantially therein without falling off the mat or spilling out the sides. Drawing the mat into a collapsed configuration can include folding one or more ends of the mat toward the center region and then drawing or lifting the mat by the handles such that materials deposited on the mat are retained. Various materials can be deposited on the mat, including, for example, fluids such as water or perspiration, as well as exercise equipment, towels, articles of clothing, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the mat may contain fluid or perspiration deposited during exercise followed by use an absorbing item or towel to absorb perspiration, which can be deposited on the mat for collection and transport. FIG. 2 shows a view of the exercise mat of FIG. 1 where a towel that has been placed on the center region of the exercise mat. At this point, the towel may be somewhat saturated with perspiration, and may even leak perspiration. Alternatively, although the use of a towel is included in the discussion of the use of the presently disclosed exercise mat, it should be appreciated that the use of the exercise mat does not require the use of a towel, clothing item, or any like item.

After the user has placed on the center region of the mat any towel, clothing item, or the like, that they wish to carry with the mat, the user proceeds to fold one end of the exercise mat over or toward the center region of the mat. FIG. 3 shows the resulting configuration achieved when first end is folded toward the center region of the mat. The folded configuration shown in FIG. 3 is achieved by a fold that is approximately located between the dashed lines shown in FIG. 1. Next, the user proceeds to fold the other end of the exercise mat toward the first folded end, and center region. FIG. 4 shows the resulting configuration achieved when second end is folded toward the first folded end, and center region. The fold accomplished between the configurations of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is approximately located between the dashed lines shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the exercise mat as folded in FIG. 4 and lifted by the user. As shown, the exercise mat so lifted is configured to allow the user to transport the exercise mat while retaining items or materials located within. FIG. 6 provides an end view of the lifted exercise mat thereby showing from another perspective that the exercise mat is configured to retain the items or materials located within. At this point, the user can transport the exercise mat with the items or materials retained within. Thus, the mat can function as both an equipment item for use during exercise as well as a means of material transport for carrying items (e.g., clothing, towels, equipment), e.g., to and/or from the exercise location.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. These other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

1. An exercise mat, comprising: a generally rectangular main body, the main body comprising a center region, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side; a first handle assembly coupled with the main body along the first side of the main body; and a second handle assembly coupled with the main body along the second side of the main body; the mat having a generally planar configuration for use during exercise and a substantially collapsed configuration where the first and second ends are folded toward the center region of the mat and the handle assemblies are drawn upward such that material deposited in the center region of the mat is substantially retained therein.
 2. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the first handle assembly and the second handle assembly are configured to allow a user to transport the main body in a configuration that retains one or more materials deposited in the center region of the mat.
 3. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a fluid.
 4. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the material comprises an exercise equipment item, towel, or article of clothing.
 5. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the first and second handle assemblies each include a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and a third strap portion.
 6. The exercise mat of claim 5, wherein: the first strap portion of the first handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends; the second strap portion of the first handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; the third strap portion of the first handle assembly is coupled with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the first handle assembly are coupled with the main body; the first strap portion of the second handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends; the second strap portion of the second handle assembly is coupled with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; and the third strap portion of the second handle assembly is coupled with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the second handle assembly are coupled with the main body.
 7. A method of using an exercise mat, comprising: providing an exercise mat, the exercise mat having a generally rectangular main body having center region, a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side, the mat further comprising a first handle assembly coupled with the main body along the first side of the main body and a second handle assembly coupled with the main body along the second side of the main body; the mat having a generally planar configuration and a collapsed configuration; placing the main body of the exercise mat into the generally planar configuration for use during exercise; drawing the mat into the collapsed configuration comprising folding the first end and the second end toward the center region of the mat, and lifting the first and second handle assemblies upward such that materials deposited in the center region are substantially retained therein.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising transporting the exercise mat in the collapsed configuration.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising depositing material in the center region of the mat prior to folding the first or second ends.
 10. The method of manufacturing an exercise mat, comprising: fabricating a generally rectangular main body, the main body being bounded by a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side, the second end being disposed opposite the first end, the second side being disposed opposite to the first side, the main body having generally planar configuration when the mat is used during exercise; coupling a first handle assembly with the main body along the first side of the main body, and a second handle assembly with the main body along the second side of the main body; the handles configures such that the mat comprises a generally planar configuration and a collapsed configuration where the first and second ends are folded toward the center region of the mat and the handle assemblies are drawn upward.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second handle assemblies each include a first strap portion, a second strap portion, and a third strap portion.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the coupling of the first handle assembly with the main body includes: coupling the first strap portion of the first handle assembly with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends; coupling the second strap portion of the first handle assembly with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; and coupling the third strap portion of the first handle assembly with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the first handle assembly are coupled with the main body; and the coupling of the second handle assembly with the main body includes: coupling the first strap portion of the second handle assembly with the main body at about one-third of the distance between the first and second ends; coupling the second strap portion of the second handle assembly with the main body at about two-thirds of the distance between the first and second ends; and coupling the third strap portion of the second handle assembly with the main body between where the first and second strap portions of the second handle assembly are coupled with the main body. 